Automatic weighing-machine



8 Sheets-Sheet I.

F. H. RICHARDS. AUTOMATIC WBIGHING MACHINE.

(No Model.)

Patented Oct. 29, 1895.

Invent:

Ammtw LGIAIMM. "0104mm. WASMIG'WIJI C (No Model.) 4 8'Sheets-Sheet a H.RICHARDS. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 548,889. Patented oct'. 29, 1895.

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(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 3.

P. H. RICHARDS. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 548,839. Iigtented Oct. 29, 1895.

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ANDREW B GRAHAMINGYO'UWQWASNIFGTOND C (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 4.

P. H. RICHARDS. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

Nd. 548,839. Patented Oct. 29, 1895.-

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i Inventor:

8 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

P. H. RICHARDS. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 548,839. Patented Oct. 29, 1895.

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P. H. RICHARDS. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 29, 1895.

Inventor:

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8 Sheets-Sheet (No Model.)

15'. H. RICHARDS.

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 548,839. Patented Oct. 29, 1895.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

AUTOMATIC WElGHlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 548,839, dated October29, 1895.

Application filed March 9, 1895.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements inAutomatic Weighing-Machines, of which the following is aspecification. w

This invention relates to weighingmachines, and more especially to thatclass of weighingmachines which are adapted for antomatically andcontinuouslyweighing predetermined quantities of grain or otherrelatively free-flowing materials, the main object being to provide anetfective and accurate automatic weighing-machine of the singlebncketclass in which all of the operations of loading and discharging thebucket and opening, closing, locking, and unlocking the valve and thebucket-closershall be performed by mechanisms comprising improved safetyand actuating devices, whereby the operation of the valve mechanism andof the bucket mechanism shall be limited the one by the other, so as toprevent waste and insure the normal operation of the machine, and so asto prevent interference with that proper, predetermined, and necessarysequence of operations which is characteristic of the normal working ofa perfectly-organized combination of mechanisms in a machine of thistype.

Another object of the invention is to furnish the bucket orload-carrying receptacle of a machine of this class with a closer whichshall control a relatively-large bucket-discharge opening as comparedwith the discharge-openings ot' buckets as heretofore constructed andwhich closer shall be supported when in its closed position by theapplication of a relatively-slight amount of force as compared with thatrequired to maintain shut the closers of such prior-machines.

A further object of the invention is to provide reciprocally-eflfectivelimiters or stops operative, respectively, for controlling the openingmovements of the valve and the bucket-closer, and which limiters shallbe so organized that a relatively-slight opening movement of the bucketcloser shall impart an accelerated or relatively-greater movement to thevalve-opening-movement limiter to in- Serial No. 541,087. (No model.)

stantaneously limit or check the opening movement of the valve, andthereby prevent any material opening movement of the valve while theoperative organization of the machine is maintained unless the closer isshut and locked in its shut position.

A further object of the invention is to furnish an improvedbucketcarrying mechanism in which the bucket shall be supported by oneormore pairs of oppositely-disposed counterweighted beams having theirmovements in unison, and also to elfect the unlatching of thebucket-closer by means controlled by the relatively-rapid descendingmovement of the poising-arms of the scalebeams as compared with thedescent of the bucket.

For the purpose of more perfectly and positively controlling themovements of the several operative parts of the machine the inventionalso contemplates the provision, in connection with thereciprocally-effective limiters or stops for preventing the opening ofthe closer when the valve is open, and vice versa, of an actuator foropening the valve, which actuator shall have its valve-opening movementpositively controlled, so as to alternate with the closing movement ofthe valve, and which valve-opening actuator shall be inoperative as suchexcept on the release of the valve by the opening-movement limiter orstop therefor, whereby such valveopening actuator shall be renderedineffective as such throughout the major portion of the cycle ofoperations of the machine and without interfering with the properworking of the other operative mechanisms and devices.

An additional objectof the invention is to be found in the provision ofmeans for automatically shifting a portion of the normalbucket-counterpoising mechanism onto the bucket poising mechanism at apredetermined point in the operation of the machine, and the controllingof one of the functions of the machine by one of the relative movementsof such portion of the counterpoising mechanism with respect to theremainder of said counterpoising mechanism. In the present applicationthe return movement of this relatively-movable portion of thecounterpoise mechanism will hereinafter be described as operative forelTecting the opening of the valve.

Additional objects of my invention are to be found, also, in theprovision of means for obtaining in one machine a very wide range ofcapacities and for setting the machine to weigh and to read any desiredor resultant fractional part of a load.

As to one of the important features thereof, this invention is in thenature of an improvement upon that shown and described in United StatesLetters Patent No. 535,729, granted to me March 12, 1895, to whichreference may be had; and as to other of the parts thereof many of thosefeatures of this machine which are not claimed or are of minorimportance are to be found in other prior and concurrent applicationsfor patents.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,Figure 1 is a partial front elevation of a weighing-machine of the classdescribed constructed in accordance with my present invention andshowing the machine broken in the center for the purpose of illustratingthe same on a large scale, thereby clearly outlining the structure ofthe same. Fig. 2 isa vertical sectional plan view of the same, and alsoshows the machine broken in the center fora like purpose. Fig. 3 is anend elevation of the machine as seen from the right hand in Fig. 1, andshows the mechanism at one end of the machine, the several operativemechanisms being in their normal positions with the valveopen anddelivering the material from the supply-chute into the bucket. Fig. 4 isan end elevation looking from the opposite end of the machine to thatshown in Fig. 3, and illustrating the mechanism at such end of theweighing-machine, the several operative mechanisms being in positionscorresponding with those shown in F ig.3. Fig. 5 is an end elevationlooking from the same end of the machine as in Fig. 3, the valve beingshown in its drip position and the other operative mechanisms in thepoising position of the machine, parts of the apparatus being removed tomore clearly illustrate the construction and operation. Fig. 6 is an endelevation looking from the same end of the maebineas in Fig. 4, thevalve being shown in the position it assumes at the moment of thecut-0B. and just prior to the opening of the bucket-closer, and theother operative mechanisms being in posi' tions corresponding with suchposition of the valve, certain of the parts of the apparatus also beingremoved to more clearly illustrate the construction and operation of themachine. Fig. 7 is an end elevation looking from the same end of themachineas in Fig. 3, the valve being shown in its closed position andthe bucket-closer being wide open with the load discharging from thebucket, and those portions of the counterpoising mechanism and bucketwhich are illustrated being returned to their normal potions, parts ofthe apparatus being removed, also, to more clearly illustrate theoperation. Fig. Sis an end elevation looking from the same end of themachine as in Fig. 4, the valve being closed and the closer open, butnearly closed, the bucket empty, and the valve-opening actuator, whichwill be hereinafter more particularly referred to, being in position foropening the valve upon the unlocking of the valve by the locking shut ofthe closer. Fig. 9 is a detail plan view corresponding to a portion ofthe lefthand end of the machine shown in Fig. 2, and illustrating aslight modification which will be hereinafter described.

Similar characters designate like parts in all of the figures.

The framework for carrying the operative parts of the machine may be ofany suitable construction, and is shown in the drawings as comprisingtwo side frames or uprights 2 and 4, mounted upon a chambered supportingbase 3 and connected bya top plate 5, to which a suitable hopper,such asH, is shown secured by means of some holding device, such asfastoning-bolts.

The side frames 2 and t are shown herein as carrying some suitablebeam-supports or V-shaped bearings, such as 20 and 20', for su pportingthe scalebeams which carry the bucket mechanism, consisting of thebucket and its operative devices.

As a means for supporting the bucket or load-carrying receptacle a pairof oppositelydisposed counterweighted beams are shown at B and B,respectively, as pivotally mounted on beam-supportsas, for instance, bymeans of the pair of pivots or knife-edges E24 and theoppositely-disposed pair of pivots or knifeedges 2t-and as havingbucket-supports l cated intermediate of said beam-supports and adjacentto the corresponding beam-supports, these bucket -supports being shownin the drawings as comprising two remotely-disposed pairs of pivots 0rknifeedges 1-5 and 15' and 17 and 17.

Each of the scale-beams B and B is shown herein as having a pair ofbeam-arms joined by a combined connecting-shaft and counterpoise, thecounterpoise for the beam 1 being designated by \V and that for the beam13 being designated by W. Each of the scalebeams, therefore, as isusual, has a bucketpoising portion and a bucket-counterpoising portion.Each of the beam-arms comprises a bucketpoising andbucket-counterpoisiug member or end, the bncket-counterpoisingportiouscf the beam-arms for the scale-beam B being designated herein by28 and 28, re spectively, and the bucket-counterpoising portions of theoppositely-disposed arms of the beam B being designated by :29 and 2'respectively.

For the purpose of supporting the bucket from and by the beam-arms thebucket-supports 15 and 15' and 17 and 17' are shown in the drawings ascarried on the corresponding beam-arms of the two scale-beams B and B.

' Some suitable means for maintaining the movements of the scale-beamsin unison, and hence the movements of the beam-arms in unison, will beemployed, and I have shown such means herein as a guide connectionbetween and joining the beams,and preferably comprising one or moreconnecting-linkssuch, for instance, as the links 552 and 552',connecting, respectively, the buckebpoising portions 19 and 21 and 19'and 21' of the scale-beams B and B. These bucket-poising portions of thescale-beams, it will be evident, com prise all those portion of saidbeams which lie between the supporting knife-edges 24: and 2t, by whichthe beams are sustained.

As a means for obtaining a free movement of each of the connecting-linksrelatively to the beam-arms which it joins, each of said links is shownherein as having oppositelyconcaved supports or bearing-faces-such, forinstance, as the jou rnal-openings 553 and 553', for engagingoppositely-disposed pivots or knifeedges 5-54 and 554'. (Shown herein ascarried by and on the inner ends of the bucket-poising portions of thebeam-arms.) These knife-edges 554 and 55* are also illustrated herein asforming integral parts of 01 positely and transversely disposed membersprojecting from said inner ends of said beam arms and having journalportions, substantially filling the corresponding journal-openings inthe link, along one of the diameters of said opening. -It will beevident that by providing an ordinary knit'eedge hearing or journalconnection between the link and the beam-arms the friction between theseparts will be reduced to a minimum, and that thereby freedom of movementof the beams will be promoted.

The bucket or load-carrying receptacle, which is of the single-chamberedtype or clas, is shown herein as having a relatively-wide centralportion and relatively-narrow receiving and discharging openings and assubstantially symmetrical at opposite sides of a central horizontalplane passing therethrough, so that the major portion of the loadflowing thereinto will be sustained adjacent to and below saidhorizontal plane of the bucket, to thereby lower the center of gravityof the receptacle when loaded to its normal capacity.

The bucket or load-carrying receptacle is pivotally mounted on theoppositely-disposed scale-beams, and is shown herein as havingbearing-faces, such as 16, in position for engaging the bucket-supportscarried by the scale-beams. In the form thereof herein illustrated eachof these bearing-faces is substantially V-shaped, and said bearing-facescorrespond in number and position with the knife-edges 15 and 15' and 17and 17. For the purpose of evenly balancing the bucket upon the beamsthe bearing-faces 16 are shown as equidistantly disposed from the centerof the receptacle, it being understood that the bucket should be soconstructed as to have no tendency to preponderate in either the onedirection or the other, and that the center of gravity of said bucket issubstantially in the central vertical plane thereof. The bearing-faces16 may be carried by the bucket in any suitable manner, and areillustrated in the drawings as supported by brackets or hangers 555,rigidly secured to the ends of the bucket.

The bucket-closer, which is designated in a general way by L, is shownas consisting of a suitably-formed plate or closer proper,such as 75,having a counterweighted arm 79,preferably formed integral therewith,the closer being also illustrated as pivoted at 77 and 78 to the lowerside of the bucket and adjacent to one side of the discharge-openingthereof. The closer-plate is preferably formed so as to hold thematerial being weighed without closing against the edges of the walls ofsuch bucket-discharge opening, but closes under these edges andcontiguous to a guard, such as 36, which is secured to the lower side ofthe bucket in such a position that the con tents of the bucket are keptfrom leaking out without requiring a very close fitting of the parts.

Asa meansforsupporting the bucket-closer, an inverted toggle connectionis shown in the drawings as connecting the closer and the bucket, andthis toggle connection is so positioned as to be engaged by acloser-latch and held at about the angle of repose of the connectionwhen the latch is in its operative position and the closer is shut. Inthe form thereof herein illustrated this toggle connection comprisessome suitable rocker-such, for instance, as 550-pivoted on the end ofthe bucket and having a connecting rod or link 556 pivoted to saidrocker, and also pivoted to the closer in such a manner that when thecloser is shut the two pivots of said connectingrod or toggle memberwill be nearly in line with and the upper of said pivots will be abovethe rocker-pivot, whereby when the rocker is engaged by the latch andheld in that position the closer will be supported with a minimumpressure on the latch, as practically all of the weight of the bucketcontents will be carried on the pivot 550" of the rocker.

The closer-latch for locking the rocker in position when the closer isshut, and which is designated by 8:3, is shown herein as pivoted at 87on the end of the bucket and as having a detent or stop 81 in positionand adapted for engaging a co-operating stop on the toggle connectionwhen the parts are in the closed position previously described. Thiscooperating stop of the toggle connection is illustrated at 550 ascarried on the rocker 550 and as substantially vertically superposedrelatively to the pivot 550" when the closer is shot. It will beunderstood, of course, that that end of the latch which engages thecooperating stop of the toggle connection is suitably weighted, so as totend to normally engage snch toggle-connection stop. As a means forlimiting the descent of this counterweighted deteut end of the latch,the rocker 550 is shown as having a curved face, preferably de-. finedby an arc struck from the pivot 550" as a center and against whichcurved face said detent end of the latch is adapted to normally engage.

The organization of closer supporting and latching means which has justbeen described is shown as duplicated, so that each end of the closer issupported and latched; but it is not .essential that this mechanismshould be' so duplicated, especially in the smaller sizes of machines.

From the foregoing description of the bucket and its closing devices itwill be obvis ous that the bucket has two members, one of which isshiftable relatively to the otherfor discharging the load, and that thebucket: closer in the present case constitutes. the shiftablebucket-discharge member. and has a bucket-discharge movement controlled,by the bucket-closer latch.

As it will be apparent that on the descent of the bucket and thescalesbeams all those points in said scale-beams which are between thebucket-supporting knife-edges or bucketsupports will haverelatively-faster descending movements than those points in the bucketswhich correspond in position with said points in the beams, it will bereadily perceived that the closer-latch may be released by aproperly-positioned stop carried by ascale-beam. Such a stop is shown at88 as carried on the scale-beam B, and the closerlatch is also shownashaving a stop in position for co-operating with the stop on thescalebeam and adapted to be engaged to release the latch at apredetermined point in the descent of the bucket and the beam, owing tothe relatively-rapid movement of the beam-stop as compared with themovement of the stop on the closer-latch. I do not, however, limit mypresent invention to the use of this particular kind of tripping-stop.

For the purpose of balancing the bucket in testing the poise of thebalancing mechanisms without discharging the contents of the receptacleone of the latch-releasing stops should have a relative movement out ofthe path of the other, in order that the closerlatch may remainoperative to hold the bucket-closer against opening. In the present caseI have shown the stop on the bucketcloser latch as so movable and ascomprising a swinging arm 557, pivoted at 557' to the latch and ashaving means for normally maintaining such stop in its operativeposition. The means which is shown herein for obtaining this result is aspring, such as 557", secured to the closer-latch on that side of thelatch-pivot which is opposite the counterweighted end of the latch, andthe free end of this spring is shown as engaging the stoparm 557 tonormally hold the same in the path of movement of the stop 88. When itis desired to permit the bucket and the beams to descend withoutreleasing the latch, the spring-will be swung to one side and thestoparm 557 swung over toward the pivot of the bucket-latch.

As a means for controlling the stream from the supply-chute, I prefer toemploy a valve substantially similar to that shown in my Patent No.535,727, granted March 12, 1895. I have shown such a valve at 70,pivoted within arms or' b.rackets 5', depending from the top plate ofthe machine, the pivot or axis of movement of the valve being designatedby The valve employed is also illustrated as located substantiallybeneath the mouth of the supply-chute and as extending beyond theforward edge of said chute sufficiently far to support the descendingcolumn or stream when the valve is closed, and the valve is also or maybe counterweighted at its rear end, as at 90, so, as to have a normalself-closing tendency. In the present case, therefore, thiscounterweight is shown as constituting a valve-closing actuator, ormeans for actuating the valve to close the same; but I do not limitmyself to the use of any particular means for effecting such closingmovement. In my said Patent No. 535,729, first hereinbefore referred to,I have shown and described means for limiting or intercepting theopening movement of the valve while the closer is open, and for alsolimiting or intercepting the opening movement of the closer while thevalve is open, in connection with means for actuating the valve to openand close the same, independently of the operation of the bucket-closer,and in the present application I have retained this feature of areciprocal control or mutual dependeneyof the opening movements of thevalve and the closer in an improved embodiment of the means forobtaining this result, whereby the controlling action is rendered moreperfectly sensitive.

In a divisional application, Serial No. 561,264, filed September 3,1895, and concurrently pending herewith, and in connection with a valveand with a bucket and its closer, and with means for actuating the valveindependently of the operation of the closer, I have shown, described,and claimed a valve-stopping thrust member operative with the closer andindependently of the operation of the valve and having an upward thrustmovement from and on the opening movement of the closer for interceptingthe opening movement of the valve by said thrust movement, whichcombination constitutes the subject-matter of said divisionalapplication.

The improved devices which I prefer to employ for reciprocally limitingthe valve and closer movements will now be described.

The rocker 550 is shown herein as having pivotally connected thereto at417 a valvestop or valve-stopping thrust member 415, and this stop orstop-arm is shown connected to the rocker in such aposition that saidstop will have a relatively-rapid movement (illustrated herein as anupward-thrust movement) on and with respect to the opening movement ofthe bucket-closer, so that the frictionroller 413, which I have shown asconstituting the stop proper, will have an accelerated thrust movementfor. intercepting the valve during the initial opening movement of thebucket-closer. In the absence of the frictionroller the end of the rodwill, of course, constitute such stop. Owing to the peculiar manner inwhich the rocker, the closer, and the thrust member are connected, itwill be obvious that on the opening of the closer the movement of saidthrust member relatively to that of the closer, will he a multiplied oneof decreasing ratio. The valve is shown as also having a stop 412,provided with connected stop-faces 412' and 412" in position and adaptedto be engaged by'the closer-operated valve-stop on the opening movementof the closer, the stop-face 412' being positioned relatively to thesaid closer operated stop, so that such stop-face will be eifective tolimit or check the opening movement of the valve when the closer isreleased during the period while the valve is closed, the otherstop-face 412" being positioned relativel y to the said closer-operatedstop, so that such stop-face will act as a safety device to limit orprevent opening movement of the valve while the closer is open bylimiting or checking the opening movement of the closer, if thecloser-latch is released, during the period while the valve is actuallyopen.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the closer-supporting meansmodify the movements of the valve-stop or valve-stopping thrust memberrelatively to the opening movementof the closer, and that thismodification is in the nature of an acceleration of the movement of suchcloser-operated stop or valve-stopping thrust member. Hence it will beevident also that the valve mechanism and the bucket-closer have twoeoacting stops, one of which is operative with the closer and the otherof which is operative with the valve mechanism, and that these stops areso positioned that they reciprocally limit the move ments of and serveas stop devices for each other, and that one of said stops, andpreferably that operative with the closer, has a elatively rapidmovement, preferably a thrust, on and with respect to the openingmovement of the bucketcloser. In the embodiment thereof shown in thedrawings this relatively rapid movement of the valve'stopping member is,as hereinbefore stated, eliected by the closer-supporting means. Byorganizing these mutually dependent means or stops so that one of themwill have a relatively rapid or accelerated movement, substantially aspreviously herein described, a very sensitive action of said means isobtained for reciprocally limiting the opening movement of the closer bythe none-losing of the valve and the opening movement of the valve bythe nonclosing of the closer.

The closer-supporting means, it will be observed, not only holds thecloser against the pressure of the contents of the bucket, but alsoserves to actuate the valve-stop connected therewith, so as to projectsaid stop into the path of the valve, and therebylimit the movement ofsaid valve. As the force exerted by the valve upon this val ve-stop isconsiderable, and as such force, if transmitted to the closersupportingdevices, might tend to prevent the proper operation of the connectedparts, I deem it advisable to transmit the greater portion of the force,due to the reaction of the valve, to some relatively fixed portion ofthe machine, and in the present case the stop-arm 415 is illustrated ashaving a connecting link or rod 414', pivotally secured thereto at thepoint where the friction-roller 413 is located, and having saidconnecting-rod also pivotally secured to the framework at 414, so thatthe rod constitutes a thrusttransmitting member for relieving thestop-arm 415 of the thrust of the valve and directing said thrustagainst a thrust-receiving member, which, as just described, constitutesa portion of the fixed framing.

The valve 70 is shown in the drawings as having aconnecting rod or arm55S pivotally secured to the upper rear portion thereof and as havingthe lower end of said rod in position and adapted to be engaged by avalveopening actuator, which will now be described, said connecting-rod558 being also shown as having a pivotal connection, by means of aguide-link 559, with a relatively fixed portion of the machine, (hereinshown as the framework adjacent to the rear of said machine.)

The connecting-rod 558 is illustrated as constituting the means fortransmitting to the valve the valve-opening movement of avalve'actuator, and that valve-actuator which has for its function theoperation of opening the valve to permit the flow of the supply-streaminto the bucket is shown herein as pivotally mounted on one of thescalebeams, in the present instance the beam B. In the form thereofherein illustrated this valve-opening actuator consists of a lever 551,pivoted at 551' to the scale-beam B and counterweighted at its rear end.This actuator or counterweighted lever, which is shown as constitutingand will also be hereinafter referred toasasupplemental counterpoise orsuppletnental balancing means, normally forms part of thebucket-counterpoising portion of the scale-beam B and therefore of thewhole bucket-counterpoising mechanism, but is automaticallyshiftableonto the bucket-poising mechanism at a predetermined point in themovement, herein shown as the ascent of the bucket. As a means fornormally maintaining this valve-opening actuator or supplementalbalancing means as a portion of the counterpoise of the beam B, saidbeam is shown herein as having a stop 560, on which the said balancingmeans is normally supported. Itwill be evident, therefore, that thelever 551 serves for one. of the purposes of the machine as avalve-opening actuatorand for another of the requirements of the machineit constitutes supplemental balancing means or a supplementalcounterpoise.

It will be observed that the pivot 551" of the valve-opening actuator isshown located between the bucket-supports which are carried by thescale-beams so that any downward pressure exerted upon the inner end ofthe actuatinglever 551 relatively to the bucket will oscillate thesupplemental balancing means and that a very slight oscillatory movementwill shift the same from the counterpoising mechanism of the machineonto the poising mechanism thereof, and thereby not only add tothepoising side of the beam a relatively considerable weight, but alsosubtract-from. the counterpoisi-ng side of the beam the same orsubstantially the same amount of weight.

The connecting-rod 558 has been hereiubefore described as having itslower end in position and adapted to be engaged by a valveopeningactuator, and hence it will be evident that the lever 551 constitutesthe means for engaging said rod. When free to actuate the valve foropening the same, it will be apparent that this rod 558 forms part ofthe actuating means and therefore a part of the valve-opening actuator;but when the opening movement of the valve is prevented it will also beevident that this rod forms astop device for limiting or checking thevalveopening movement of the valve-actuator. Moreover, it will be seenthat in the present case the connecting-rod 558 and the scalebeam B formshifting means for engaging the supplemental balancing means andautomatically shifting the same from the counterpoising to the poisingside of the mechanism ata predetermined point in the movement of thebucket.

From the preceding description of the operation of the bucket-closerlatch and the closer-supporting means and of the operation of thevalve-stops 415 and 412, respectively, it will be apparent thatreciprocallyetfective valve-opening-movement and closeropening-movementlimiters are provided, the former of which is shown at 415 as operativeto limit or check the opening movement of the valve while thebucket-closer is open and the latter of which is illustrated at 412 aseffective to reciprocallylimit or check the opening movement of thecloser, and hence the bucket-discharge movement of the shiftablebucket-discharge member while the valveis open.

As it is necessary in the normal operation of a weighing-machine of thisgeneral class that the valve-opening movement of the valve-openingactuator be prevented during that period in which the load in the bucketis being made up, it will be evident that if the valve-opening-movementlimiter is in its operative position it will be impossible for thevalve-opening actuator to be effective as such, as the rod 558 willengage said actuator and form a stop device for limiting or checking thevalve-opening movement thereof; also, that when not supported on thestop 560 and when not checked by the stop device controlled by theclosing movement of the valve said valve'opening actuator will beoperable as such.

- The normal position of the valve mechanism in a weighing-machine asordinarily constructed is that in which the full flow of thesupply-stream into the bucket is permitted; and hence the actuator foropening the valve is shown herein as of relatively-greater power orefficiency than the means for closing said valve. The valve-openingactuator is also illustrated in the present case as operativeinopposition to the valve-closing means and therefore in opposition to theclosing movement of the valve. For the purpose ofpreventing the closingmovement of the valve during that period in which the valve-openingactuator would ordinarily be efiective it will be obvious that in amachine such as described, having a valve-opening actuator operative inopposition to and of relatively greater power or eliiciency than themeans for closing the valve,a stop device located intermediate of thevalve-opening actuator and the valve-closing means and forming anintermittently-fixed connection between the valveclosing means and thevalve-opening actuator will be sufficient while in such fixed positionto hold the valve against any closing movement that can be exerted bythe normal operation of the valve-closing means. The connecting-rod 55Stherefore constitutes not only a stop device for checking thevalveopening movement of the valve-opening actuator during the period inwhich the valveopening-movement limiter is in its operative position,but also astop device for preventing the closing movement of the valveduring the period beginning with the release of thevalve-opening-movement limiter and ending with the commencement of thedescent of the bucket and the scale-beams, it being apparent, of course,that the valve-opening movement of the valve-openingactuator is checkedduring the descent of the bucket and the beams, the stop 560 having beenalready described as provided for this purpose.

From the preceding description, read in connection with the drawings, itwill also be obvious that the valve has its closingmovcment during theperiod in which the closer-openingmovement limiter is in its operativeposition, and that the valve-opening actuator has its valve-openingmovement alternating with the closing movement of the valve, and hencethe valve-opening and valve closing actuators are alternately elfective.

The connecting-rod 558 or some suitable means for limiting the closingmovement of the valve and the valveopening movement of thevalve-opening'actuator, and hence for limiting the valve-actuatingmovements of the valve-opening and val ve-closing actuators, I term avalve-movement stop; and it will be seen that such a valve-movement stopis adapted for reciprocally limiting the closing movement of the valveand the valve-opening movement of the valve-opening actuator, and istherefore adapted for reciprocally limiting the valveactuating movementsof the valve-opening and valve-closing actuators, so that it will beimpossible for the valve-closing movement to take place or for thevalve-actuating movement of the valve-closing actuator to occur whilethe valve-opening actuator is operative as such.

While the valve-movement stop has been described as being connected withthe valve and as movable relatively to the valve-opening actuator at thelower end of said stop, I do not limit myself to such a construction,but consider as within the scope of my invention any means operated as avalve-movement stop, positioned and adapted to have the functions herestated.

As a means for controlling the drip-stream, the valve isshown providedwith a stop, and a detent is so positioned and adapted as to engage thisstop and hold the valve against closing during the drip period.

For releasing the valve means are also provided controlled by theoverpoise movement of the scale-beam for disengaging the detent fromsaid valve-stop topermit the cut-off movement of the valve. A valve-stopfor this purpose is shown at 418, and a detent device adapted forengaging this valve-stop is shown as comprising a counterweighted lever420, pivotally mounted at 420" on the framework of the machine andpivotally secured to a connecting-rod 420', carrying a stop member ordetent proper 419, adjacent to the stop 418 and in position and adaptedfor engaging this last-mentioned stop during the drip period.

As a means for guiding the detent in its movements and for taking up thethrust of the valve, a guidelink or thrust-receiving member is'shown at419 as preferably pivoted at the point 414 to the frame of the machine,this pivotal point being that also, as before described, of thoguide-link414'. The detent for engaging the valve-stop is therefore aswinging one and engages the valvestop at a predetermined point in themovement of the valve, and the detent is also shown as having a stop419" in position for engagement by one of the scale-beams on the descentofsaid beam toa predetermined point, whereupon the detent will becarried out of the path of movement of the co-operating valve-stop.

For the purpose of limiting the movement of the detent in one directionand holding Said detent in the path of movement of the cooperativevalve-stop any suitable stop device, such as that shown at 422, may beemployed.

A scale-arm is shown herein at 501 as carried by and movable with one ofthe scalebeams, in this instance the scale-beam B, and as adapted tocarry a load-weight, which is adapted to be slid from the po'ising tothe counterpoising side of the scale-arm, and vice versa, to therebysimultaneously reduce the weight of one of the balancing mechanisms andincrease the weight of the other. A loadweight adapted for this purposeis shown at M, carried on the scale-arm 561, and as slidable thereonfrom end to end of the same. This load-weight is shown in Fig. lashaving a slideway on its innerside, the walls of which way are adaptedto closely engage the four sides of the scale-arm, to thereby hold theload'weight securely against lateral move ment during the operation ofthe machine. As a means for securing this weight in any desired adjustedposition on the scale-arm, I have shown in the drawings (see Fig. 3) aclamp-nut 562, engaging a locking-bolt 562, working in a slot 563 andhaving a transverse tongue 562" for engaging the inner side .of thescale-arm, and thus clamp the weight in place thereon. The scale-arm 561is also shown in the drawings as provided with a scale, having a seriesof division-lines 561 extending transversely across one face of saidscale-armvto indicate any required graduations. The load-weight is alsoillustrated in the present instance as having a scale-face, such as 564,in parallelism with a diagonal line connecting the correspondingopposite terminals of two adjacent division-lines on the scale-arm, andsaid scale-face is furnished with a Vernier-scale 564', coinciding inlength with this diagonal, the vernier or cross scale being graduated torepresent any usual subdivisions of the unit indicated by the graduations on the scale-arm.

It will be evident that by means of such a load-weight as that justdescribed the bucket may be poised when empty and the machine may beadjusted for weighing different loads. When the Weight is slid out onthe poising end of the scale-arm to a point near the end thereof, itwill poise or exactly balance the weight of the bucket and itsmechanism, and when slid backward to about the position shown in dottedlines in Fig. 5, this position being approximately in alignment with thesupporting mechanisms of the scale-beam, the weight becomes aboutneutral. It the weight is carried beyond said knife-edges, toward theleft in said figure, said weight is added to that of thecounterpoise-beam. Relativelysmaller loads may be balanced by slidingthe loadweighttoits intermediate positions,and it has been found inpractice that such a machine as herein shown and described may besuccessfully operated for weighing loads some what less than one-half ofthe maximum load.

The main and Vernier scales permit the operator to ascertain the weightof a partial load, such as usually remains at the end of a predeterminedperiod of operation of the machine, as when weighing from a bin, thematerial thus left in the bin being usually less than a full load. Bysliding the load-weight carefully along the scale-arm the operator canascertain at what point on said arm the weight will bring the mechanismsto the poise and can then read otf the weight of the partial load. Inthis way the correct weight of any quantity of material may beascertained, as it will be obvious that the point of intersection of the'vernier scaleface with a gradu ation of the main scale will designatethe true weight of the load.

The operation of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention,as hereinbefore set forth, will now be described.

With the parts in position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 (the normal positionfor the commences ment of the weighing operation) the valve is wide openand permits the uninterrupted flow of the stream issuing from thesupplychute Hdown into the bucket G. At this time the bucket-latch 82 isoperative to. hold the closer L shut, and hence thevalve-openingmovementlimiter lies below and out of en-.

gagement with the stop 412,,but in position to instantaneously rise andengage the closeropening-movement limiter or stop 412, should the latch82 be accidentally released prematurely. At this time, also, the closingmovement of the valve is checked by the abutment of the valve-movementstop 558. against the valve-opening actuator 551, and the valveopeningactuatoris inoperative as such, owing to the fact that it is stopped atthe end of the range of movement of the bucket-counterpoising mechanism.As soon asthe load is sufticiently made up to permit the descent of thebucket and the scale-beams, the valveopening actuator, falling slowlyfrom under the valve-movement stop, permits the valveopening movement tobegin, and at the same time the stop-face412" is shifted relatively tothe valve-opening-movement limiter until the detent-stop 419 engages thestop 418, carried by the valve, when said valve-opening-movement limiterwill be at the extreme end of said stop-face 412" and in position toengage the stop-face 412 on the release of thedetent419, as shown inFig. 5. The detent-releasing stop carried by the scale-beam B is alsoshown as about to carry down the stop 419". During the time in which thevalve is locked in the drip position by the detent the valve-movementstop rises from the valve-opening actuator, owing to the continuation ofthe descent of the beams, and on the release of the detent by thebeam-stop or other detaching means the valve is quickly carried to thecut-off position shown in Fig. 6 and the valve-movement stop (which atthe moment of the release of the detent was some distance above thevalve-opening actuator) is thrown quickly or actuator shown at 551.

against said actuator, and the whole force exerted by thevalve-counterweight and the momentum of the rapidly-closed valve isthrown against and onto the valve-opening actuator, the valve-movementstop thus serving as a power-transmitting means, and an added impetus,due to the weight, momentum, and impact of said valve-operated means, isgiven to the bucket-poising mechanism to carry the same rapidly to thelimit of the descending movement and thereby insure the release of thebucket-closer latch.

In Fig. 7 the bucket-closer latch is shown as having been released fromengagement with the stop 550 on the toggle connection, owing to theactuation of the stop 557 by the stop 88,

and the weight of the contents of the bucket has thrown open the closer,the first opening movement of said closer instantaneously carr 'in thevalve-o chin -movement limiter to .l o a its operative position andpreventing the opening of the valve.

As soon as the proper portion of the load has been discharged from thebucket, the

bucket and the scale-beams will of course tend torise; but thereupon,owing to the fact that the valve-movement stop 558 is a rigid abutmentby reason of the valve-openingv the normal position; but if, as might bethe case in small-sized machines, the main counterpoise mechanismconstitutes the valveopening actuator, then the whole balancingmechanism will of course be held against return movement. In small-sizedmachines,opcrating as thus described, the only change involved would bethe substitution of a properly-positioned stop-face on the beammechanism for the supplemental balancing means For this modification seeFig. 9, in which the roll 551" is shown carried by a pin 551', fixeddirectly in the beam-arm 10'.

It will be apparent that the valveopening actuator will be heldinoperative as such by the valve-movement stop until the closer isentirely shut, as the valve-opening-movement limiter is not releasedfrom itsengagement with the valve until the last part of this closermovement. As soon as the closer is com pletely shut, the bucket-closerlatch 82 will re- .engage the closer-supporting means and at the samemoment, owing to the withdrawal of the valve-opening-movement limiter415 on its return-stroke, the valveopening actuator 551 becomes operablefor reverse oscillatory movements, and, returning to its normalposition, forces the valve open, and the valvemovement stop 558 is thenoperative to prevent the closing of the valve until the b ginning of anew cycle of movements, the cioseropening-movement limiter 412beingreturned at the same time to its efiective position.

It will be seen from the foregoing that all of the operations of such aweighing-machine as herein described are positively interdependent andthat it isimpossible for the move- .ments of the valve and the closerand the valve-opening actuator to take place in any other than adetermined order so long as the machine is operativel y organized. Thevalveopening actuator is held ineffective by the valve-opening-movementlimiter during the efiective action of said limiter, and hence has aninetfective period synchronous with the effective period of thislimiter, and the valveclosing actuator is operable with thecloseropening-movementlimiter and by the descent of the scale-beam andis elfective alternately with the valve-opening actuator. By having thevalve-opening actuator oscillatory on and relatively to one of thescale-beams the operation of said actuator is rendered very sensitive,as on its release by the valve-movement stop (which, as will be seen. isreleasable in turn on the return stroke of the valve-opening-movementlimiter,) a relatively-small resistance is opposed to the action of suchvalveopening actuator. It will be noticed, also, that while thevalve-opening actuator is operable on one release of the valve-movement7 stop the valve-closing actuator is operable on the other release ofsaid stop, so that the two actuators are mutually dependent and areresistively connected.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a weighing-machine,the combination with a valve and with a bucket-closer; ofreciprocally-effective, valve-opening-movement andcloser-opening-movement limiters; and a valve-opening actuator, operableon the return stroke of the valve-opening-movement limiter, and havingan ineifective period synch ronous with the eifective period of saidlimiter, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve and with abucket-closer; of reciprocally-effective, valve-opening-movement andcloser-opening-movement limiters; and a valve-opening actuator, heldineffective by the valve-opening-movement limiter during the effectiveaction of said limiter, and operable on the return stroke of saidlimiter, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve having itsclosing movement during the period in which the closer-openingmovementlimiter is in its operative position; and with a bucket-closer; ofreciprocallyeifective, valve-openingmovement and closeropening-movementlimiters; and a valveopening actuator operable on the return stroke ofthe valve-opening-movement limiter, and having its valve-openingmovement alternating viththe closing movement of said valve,substantially as described,and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve and with abucket-closer; and with reciprocally-eifective, valve-opening movementand closer-opening-movement limiters; of alternately-efiectivevalve-opening and valve-closing actuators, having the former operable onthe return stroke of the valveopening-movement limiter, and the latteroperable with the closer-opening-movement limiter, substantially asdescribed, and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve, a scale-beam anda bucket-closer; and with reciprocally-efiective, valve-opening-movementand closer-opening-movement limiters; of altern'ately-eifectivevalve-opening and valveclosing actuators, having the former operable onthe return stroke of the valve-opouing-movement limiter,and the latteroperable with the closer-opening-movement limiter, and by the descent ofthe scalebeam, substantially as described,and for the purposes setforth.

6. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve and with abucket-closer; and with reciprocally-eifeotive, valve-openingmovementand closer'opening-movement limiters; of alternately-effective andmutuallydependent valve-opening and valve-closing actuators, operativein opposition to each other, and having the former operable on thereturn stroke of the valvc-opening-movement limiter, and the latteroperable with the closer-opening-movement limiter, substantially asdescribed, and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve, a scalebeam, anda bucketcloser; of reciprocally-effective, valve-opening-movement andcloser-opening-movement limiters; a valve-closing actuator operable withthe closer-opening-movernent limiter; and a valve-opening, actuatoreffective alternately with the valve-closing actuator, and carried bythe scale-beam, and operable on the return stroke of thevalve-openiug-movement limiter, and having its valve-opening movementrelatively to said scale-beam,sub-- stantially as described, and for thepurposes set forth.

8. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve, a soalebeam anda bucketcloser; of reciprocally-etfective, valve-opening-movement andcloser-opening-moveinent limiters; a valve-closing actuator operablewith the closer-opening-movement limiter and by the descent of thescale-beam; and a valveopening actuator effective alternately with thevalve-closing actuator, and carried by the scale-beam, and operable onthe return stroke of the valve-opening-movement limiter, and having itsvalve-opening movement relatively to said scale-beam, substantially asdescribed, and for the purposes set forth.

9. In a weighing-machine, the combination witha valve; and with ashiftable bucket-dis charge member having a bucket-discharge movement;of a limiter for the bucket-discharge movement of said bucket-dischargemember; a valve-opening-movcment limiter reciprocally etfective withsaid bucket-dis charge-movement limiter; and a valve-opening actuatoroperable on the return stroke of the valve-'opening-movement limiter,and having an ineffective period synchronous with the effective periodof said limiter, substantially as described, and for the purposes setforth.

10. Inaweighing-machine,thecombination with a valve, a scale-beam and abucket closer; of reciprocally-reflective, valve-opening-movement andcloser-opening-movement limiters; a valve-closing actuator operable withthe closer-opening-movement limiter; a valveopening actuator etfectivealternately with the valve-closing actuator, and carried by thescale-beam, and operable on the return stroke of thevalve-opening-movement limiter, and having its valve-opening movementrelatively to said scalebeam; and a stop on the scale-beam, and inposition and adapted for normally preventing relative movement of thevalveopeuing actuator with respect to the scale-beam, substantially asdescribed, and for the purposes set forth.

11. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve,a counterpoisedscale-beam and a bucket-closer; 0t reciprocallyeffective,valve-opening-movement and closer-opening; movement limiters; avalve-closing actuator operable with the closer-opening-movementlimiter, and by the descent of the scale-beam; a valve-opening actuatorefiective alternately with the valve-closing actuator, and carried bythe scale-beam, and normally forming part of the counterpoise for saidbeam, and operable on the return stroke of the valve-opening-movementlimiter, and having its valveopening-movement relatively to said scalebeam; and a stop on the scale-beam, and in position and adapted fornormally preventing relative movement of the valve-opeuing actuator withrespect to the scale-beam, snb

' stantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

12. Ina weighing-machine, the combination with a valve, a counterpoisedscale-beam and a bucket -closer; of reciprocaily effective,valveopeningmovement and closer-openi ngmovement limiters; avalve-closing actuator operable with the closer-opening-movementlimiter, and by the descent of the scale-beam; a valve-opening actuatoreffective alternately with the valve-closing actuator, and pivotall ymounted on the scale-beam, and normally forming part of the counterpoise forsaid beam, and operable on the return stroke of thevalveopening-movement limiter, and having an oscillatory valve-openingmovement relatively to said scale-beam; and a stop on the scale beam,and in position and adapted for normally preventing oscillatory movementof the valve-opening actuator relativei y to the scalebeam,substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

13. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve, a scale-beamand a bucket-closer; of reciprocally-etfective, valve-openiug-movementand closer-opening-movemeut limiters; a valve-closing actuator operablewith the closer-openingmovement li miter; and a val veopening actuatorefiective alternately with, and of relatively-greater efiiciency than,the valve-closing actuator, and carried by the scale-beam, and operableon the return stroke of the valve-opening-movement limiter, andhavingits valve-opening-movement relatively to said scale-beam,substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

14. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve, a scale-beamand a bucket-closer; of reciprocally-etfective, valve-opening-movementand closer-opening-movement limiters; a valve-closing actuator operablewith the closer-opening-movement limiter, and by the descent of thescale-beam; and a valve-opening actuator effective alternately with, andof relatively-greater efiiciency than, the valveclosing actuator, andoperative in opposition to said valve-closing actuator, and carried bythe scalebearn, and operable on the return stroke of thevalveopening-movement limiter, and having its valve-openingmovementrelatively to said scale-beam, and operable to its valve-openingposition and relatively to the scale-beam by the ascent of said beam,substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

15. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve and with abucket-closer; of reci procally-etfective, valve-opening-movement andcloser-openingmovement limiters; a valve-opening actuator operable onits release by the valve-movement stop, and having an inefiective periodsynchronous with the effective period of the valve-opening-movemeutlimiter; a valve-closing actuator effective alternately with thevalve-opening actuator, and operable with the closeropening-movementlimiter; and a valve-movement stop for the valve-opening actuator, andreleasable on the return stroke of the valveopening-movoment limiter,and in position and adapted for engaging the valve-opening actuatorduring the period beginning with the final closing of the valve andending with the subsequent release of the valve by thevalve-opening-movement limiter, substantially as described, and for thepurposes set forth.

16. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve, ascale-beam anda bucketcloser; of reciprocally-effective, valveopening-move ment andcloser-opening-movement limiters; a valve-closing actuator operable withthe closeropeningmovement limiter, and by the descent of the scale-beam;a valve-opening actuator efiective alternately with, and ofrelatively-greater efficiency than, the valveclosing actuator, andoperative in opposition tosaid valve-closing actuator, and carried bythe scale-beam, and operable on its release by the valve-movement stop,and having its valve-opening movement relatively to said scale-beam; anda valve-movement stop for the valve-opening actuator, and releasable onthe return stroke of the valve-opening-movement limiter, and in positionand adapted for engaging the valve-opening actuator during the periodbeginning with the final closing of the valve and ending with thesubsequent release of the valve by the valve-opening-movement limiter,substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

17. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valveand withabucketcloser; of reciprocallyetfective, .valve opening movement andcloser-opening-movement limiters; a valve-opening actuator operable onits release by the valve-movement stop, and having an inelfective periodsynchronous with the eifective period of the valve-opening-movementlimiter; a valve-closing actuator eifective alternately with thevalve-opening actuator, and operable with the closer-openingmovementlimiter, and a valve-movement stop for the valve-opening actuator, andreleasable on the return stroke of the valveopening-movement limiter,and in position and adapted for engaging the valve opening actuatorduring the period in which said limiter is in its operative position andpreventing the valve-opening movement of the valve-opening actuatorduring said period, and for holding said valve-opening actuator in itsvalve'opening position relatively to the scalebeam on the ascent of saidbeam, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

18. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve and with abucket-closer; of reciprocally efiective, valve openingmovement andcloser-openingmovement limiters; a valve-opening actuator operable onits re lease by the valve-movement stop, and having an inefiectiveperiod synchronous with the effective period of thevalve-opening-movement limiter; a valve-closing actuator elfectivealternately with the valve-opening actuator, and operable with thecloser-opening movement limiter; and a valve-movement stop for thevalve-opening actuator, and releasable on the return stroke of thevalveopening-movement limiter, and carried by the valve, and in positionand adapted for engaging the valve-opening actuator during the periodbeginning with the final closing of the valve and ending with thesubsequent release of the valve by the valve-opening-movement limiter,substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth. 4

19. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve and with abucket-closer; of reciprocally-effective, valve-opening-movement andcloseropening-movement limiters; a valve-opening actuator operable onits release by the valve-movement stop, and having an inefiective periodsynchronous with the etfective period of the valve-opening-movementlimiter; a valve-closing actuator etIective alternately with thevalve-opening actu ator, and operable with the closer-opening- Inovementlimiter; and a valve-movement stop for the valve-opening actuator, andreleasable on the return stroke of the valveopening-movement limiter,and pivotally secured to the valve, and in position and adapted forengaging the valve-opening actuator during the period beginning with thefinal closing of the valve and ending with the subsequent release of thevalve by the valveopening-movement limiter, substantially as described,and for the purposes set forth.

20. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve and with abucket-closer; of reciprocally-etfective, valve-opening-movement andcloser-openingmovement limiters; a valve-opening actuator operable onits release by the valve-movement stop, and having an ineifective periodsynchronous with the eflfective period of the valve-opening-movementlimiter; a valve-closing actuator effective alternately with thevalve-opening actuator, and operable with the closer-openingmovementlimiter; and a valve-movement stop for the valve-opening actuator, andreleasable on the return stroke of the valveopening-movement limiter,and pivotally secured to the valve, and having a swinginggnide pivotedto said valve-movement stop and to a fixed portion of the machine, andin position for engaging the valve-movement stop with the valve-openingactuator during the period beginning with the final closing of the valveand ending with the subsequent release of the valve by thevalve-openinginovement limiter, substantially as described, and for thepurposes set forth.

21. In a weighingmachine, the combination with a valve and with abucket-closer; of reciprocally-elfective, valveopening-movcment andcloser-openingmovement limiters; a valve-opening actuator operable onits release by the valve-movement stop, and having an inetfective periodsynchronous with the effective period of the valve-opening-movementlimiter; a valve-closing actuator effective alternately with thevalve-opening actuator, and operable with the closer-openingmovementlimiter; and a valve-movement stop for the valve-opening actuator, andreleasable on the return stroke of the valve-openingmovement limiter,and fixed relatively to one of the valve-operating actuators, and inposition and adapted for engaging the other of said valve-operatingactuators during the period beginning with the final closing of thevalve and ending with the subsequent release of the valve by thevalve-opening-inovement limiter and preventing the valve-openingmovement of said valve-opening actuator,

substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

22. In a weighingmachiue, the combination with a valve having itsclosing movement during the period in which the closer opening.

movement limiter is in its operative position; and with a bucket-closer;of reciprocally-effective, valve-opening-movement andcloseropening-movement limiters; a valve-opening actuator operable onthe return stroke of the valve-opening-movement limiter, and having itsvalve actuating movement alternating with the closing movement of saidvalve; and a valve-movement stop in position and adapted for limitingthe valve-actuating movement of the valve-opening actuator throughoutthe period beginning with the final closing of the valve and ending withthe subsequent release of the valve by the valve-opening-movementlimiter, snbstantiallyas described, and for the purposes set forth.

23. Inaweighing-machine,thecombination with a valve having its closingmovement during the period in which the closer-openingmovement limiteris in its operative position; and with a bucket-closer; ofreciprocally-effective, valve-opening-movement andcloseropening-movement limiters; a valve-opening actuator operable onthe return stroke of the valve-opening-movement limiter; and avalvemovement stop in position and adapted for reciprocally limiting theclosing movement of the valve and the valve-opening movement of thevalveactuator, substantially as described, and for the purposes setforth.

24. Inaweighing-machine,thecombination with a valve and with abucket-closer; of reciprocally-eifective, valve-opening-movemcut andcloser-openingmovement limiters; a valve-openin g actuator operable onthe return stroke of thevalve-opening-movement limiter; a valve-closingactuator operable with thecloser-opening-movementlimiter;andavalvemovement stop in position andadapted for reciprocally limiting the valve actuating movements of thevalve-opening and valveclosing actuators, substantially as described,and for the purposes set forth.

25. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve having itsclosing movement during the period in which the limiter for thebucket-discharge movement of the bucketdischarge member is in itsoperative position; and with a shiftable bucket-discharge member havinga bucket-discharge movement; of a limiter for the bucket-dischargemovement of said bucket-discharge member; a valveopening-movementlimiter reciprocally effective with said bucket-dischargemovementlimiter; a valve-opening actuator operable on the return stroke of thevalve-opening-movemeut limiter; and a valve-movement stop in positionand adapted for reciprocallylimiting the closing movement of the valveand the valveopening movement of the valve-actuator, substantially asdescribed, and for the purposes set forth.

26. Inaweighing-machine,thecombinatiou with a valve, a scale-beam and abucket-closer; of reciprocally-effective, valve-opening-movement andcloser-opening-movement limiters; a valve-opening actuator operable onone release of the valve-movementstop, and having an ineffective periodsynchronous with the edective period of the valve-opening-movementlimiter; a valve-closing actuator effective alternately with thevalve-opening actuator, and operable with the closer-openingmovementlimiter, and operable on the other release of the valve-movement stop;and a valve-movement stop alternately operable by the valve-operatingactuators, and in position and adapted for reciprocally controlling thevalve-operating movements of the valveoperating actuators, and havingitsaforesaid first-mentioned release on the return stroke of thevalve-opening-movement limiter, and having its other release on thedescent of the scale-beam, substantially as described, and for thepurposes set forth.

27. In a weighing-machine embodying a scale-beam, the combination with avalve having its closing movement during the period in which thecloser-opening-movement limiter is in its operative position; and with abucketcloser; of reciprocally-effective, valve-opening-movement andcloser-opening-movementlimiters; a valve-opening actuator operable onthe return stroke of the valve-openingmovement limiter, and having itsvalve-opening movement alternating with the closing movement of saidvalve; a stop carried by the valve; a detent in position and adapted forengaging said valve-stop and holding the valve against closure duringthe drip period; and means controlled by the overpoise movement of thescale-beam for releasing said detent and permitting the cut-off movementof the valve, substantially as described, and for the purposes setforth.

28. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a valve, a scale-beamand a bucket-closer; of reciprocally-effective, valve-opening-movementand closer-opening-moveinent limiters; a valveclosing actuator operablewith the closer opening movement limiter; a valveopening actuatorefiective alternately with the valve-closing actuator, andcarried by thescale-beam, and operable on the return stroke of thevalve-opening-movement limiter, and having its valve-opening movementrelatively to said scale-beam; astop carried by the valve; a detent inposition and adapted for engaging said valve-stop and holding the valveagainst closure during the drip period; and means controlled by theoverpoise movement of the scale-beam for releasing said detent andpermitting the cut-oif movement of the valve, substantially asdescribed, and forthe purposes set forth.

29. Inaweighing-machine,thecombination with a bucket and with a closertherefor; of the inverted toggle-connection joining said bucket and thecloser for supporting the

